Free Web NovelChapter 48: Chapter 48 Just kill him
The moment the final count rang out, Ivy let go.
The kegs slipped from her lifeless fingers, crashing heavily against the ground with a dull thud as she collapsed right after them.
Her entire body hit the floor, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she gasped for air, her lungs burning as if starved of oxygen.
For a few seconds, she couldn’t move.
Couldn’t think.
Couldn’t feel anything but the overwhelming weight of exhaustion pressing down on her.
Then....
Slowly... painfully...
She forced herself to move.
Her hand reached out, trembling uncontrollably, as she grabbed one of the kegs. With what little strength she had left, she dragged it closer, unscrewed the lid with stiff fingers, and lifted it shakily above her head and poured the water over her head.
It cascaded down her body in a sudden rush, soaking her hair, her clothes. The chill hit her instantly, sharp and shocking, stealing the breath from her lungs.
Water dripped from her face as she lowered the empty keg weakly, her body still trembling from the aftermath of the strain.
Ding!
{Congratulations, Host, on completing the tasks}
{Basic Endurance: Level 10}
{Pain Resistance: Level 10.}
{Host may relax for thirty minutes before proceeding to the final stage of today’s training.}
Ivy remained seated, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. Sweat clung to her skin, her muscles trembling faintly from the strain.
Ding!
The sound didn’t come from the system this time....it came from her phone.
"I guess she’s back..." Ivy muttered under her breath, picking up her phone and turning on the screen.
The display lit up, revealing Scarlett. She was no longer alone.
The camera showed a living room. A man in his forties sat stiffly on the couch, his expression hardened, eyes locked onto the scene before him. In front of him, an eight-year-old boy knelt on the floor.
On the table between them lay several tools....blades of different shapes, knives, a cutlass, rolls of bandages, medicine, and a bottle of methylated spirits.
"Let go of him, Father!" Scarlett shouted, her voice shaking as she held the phone up to her face.
Behind her, their mother lay motionless on the floor, her body covered in blood. Her chest barely moved....if at all. She had already lost consciousness from the brutal beating.
"I’m recording you right now!" Scarlett continued, her voice rising with desperation. "The government...someone....anyone can see this! If you cut my brother’s finger, you’ll face the consequences!"
"Let go of him?" the man snapped, his voice exploding with anger. "And let him kill us all?!"
He let out a bitter, mocking laugh.
"And what exactly are you recording, huh? Have you forgotten? The world has already collapsed!" he continued, glaring at her. "No one is coming to save you just because you’re live streaming this!" freeweɓnøvel.com
"Please... let me... go... father..."
The boy’s weak voice trembled as he spoke. His teeth chattered uncontrollably, his head twitching unnaturally as it tilted to one side.
"Michael! Stay with me, okay? You’ll be fine!" Scarlett cried, dropping to her knees beside him, pulling him close while still clutching her phone. "I’ll save you... I promise!"
"If you don’t want him to die," the man said coldly, grabbing a knife from the table, "then cutting off that finger is the only way to keep him alive."
He seized the boy’s hand and forced it flat against the table.
That won’t save him... Ivy thought, her throat tightening as she stared at the screen.
Without thinking too much, she typed quickly into the livestream chat.
Just kill him. Your brother is already dead the moment he got bitten by those monsters! He’s only waiting to turn into one now!!
Scarlett’s eyes flickered as she read the comment and other comments from other people saying she should just kill her brother.
For a moment, anger and grief twisted across her face. Her arms tightened protectively around her brother as she continued filming.
"Did you see that?" her stepfather said, letting out a harsh laugh. "They’re telling us to kill him. And yet, I’m the one trying to save him!"
He shoved Scarlett aside.
She stumbled, nearly dropping her phone but managed to grab it just in time.
"Argh!!!"
The boy’s scream tore through the room.
Without hesitation, the man brought the knife down.
Blood splattered instantly....across the table, the walls, the curtains, even the cushions.
"Brother!!!" Scarlett screamed, rushing forward in horror.
Her phone slipped from her hand this time, hitting the ground with a dull crack.
The screen tilted sideways, capturing only fragments...blurred movement, flashes of red, and the chaotic struggle before the livestream abruptly cut off.
"Cutting off his fingers...?" Ivy murmured under her breath, her voice low and grim. "That’s useless..."
Her gaze darkened as she stared at the now-black screen.
